School boy training error!

Since I was in the Lakes (up by Coniston) I thought that instead of a long run I would try my hand at fell running. How hard can it be?!

(This is me after only 5 miles of the Great North Run in 2007 when I was, by my calculation, 5 years younger. What made me think I can hill run! 6 foot tall and weighing 14 stone.)

Because you know what? Running up hills is really hard! I thought I was in pretty good shape. (I'm running a marathon in a week or two - did I mention?) I thought my lungs would explode. I did about 15 minutes of the gentle bit at the start and thought I was doing smashing but then as you go properly up hill I managed about 50 metres at a time and in between each burst I had to rest for about a minute. I swear I would have been quicker just walking up. Anyway it took me 45 minutes from the Walna Scar car park to the top and about 25 to come down. I think I could be a down hill fell runner. Do they do down hill only runs? But the next day, and the next day, the day after that, and the day after that I have been in such pain. I avoid going up and down stairs, as the old gag goes: 'If I bend down to tie my shoe laces I look around to see if there's anything else I can be doing whilst I'm down there!' I'm not sure my legs will ever get back to normal.

I need a massage (I also need to go out running again, I know) but I want a break first. Fell runners: respect!